UDA party effects changes in Nairobi County Assembly

Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege. [Samson Wire, Standard]

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has removed its two leaders in the Nairobi County Assembly and appointed a new team.

Anthony Kiragu, the Minority Leader since the 2022 General Elections, and Mark Mugambi, the Minority Whip, have lost their positions.

Waithera Chege, MCA for Nairobi South, has become the new Minority Leader, with Deonysias Mwangi, MCA for Githurai Ward, as her deputy. Joyce Muthoni, a nominated MCA, has taken over as the new Minority Whip, and Mwaura Samora, MCA for Clay City, as the Deputy Minority Whip.

The changes follow a letter from some UDA MCAs to the party on October 19 requesting the removal of Kiragu and Mugambi.

They accused them of lacking integrity, leading poorly, being self-centred, and failing to represent the party agendas.

"The party has received minutes and resolutions of the Minority members of the County Assembly after a meeting on October 17," UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala said in a letter dated October 23.

"It was decided that the Minority Leader and the Minority Whip be removed for reasons in the mentioned minutes," he said.

Waithera Chege expressed her confidence in the task ahead, saying that the move signalled a new dawn for the UDA party in the Assembly.

She said: "It is also a new peak for women leadership in Kenya.Truly, based on the list from the Party, UDA and the Kenya Kwanza leadership support women empowerment."

Waithera noted she would work with everyone, including those who had been replaced.

"I believe in unity of purpose. We have to restore confidence in the leadership of the party in the Assembly," she said.

The UDA decisions are now awaiting communication by the Speaker to the Assembly.